Many patients with stubborn acne get subjected to long term treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics, which often keeps the condition at bay by killing off the bacteria involved. However, the antibiotics often provoke a chronic intestinal yeast overgrowth which will actually make the acne worse.
Nevertheless, other nutritional supplements have offered consistently good results. Chromium has been reported to produce glucose tolerance and to bring about a rapid improvement in patients with acne (M McCarthy, Med Hypoth, 1984, 14: 307-10). Acne has also improved with selenium and vitamin E supplementation, which eliminate free radicals (G Michaelssen & L Edqvist, Acta Derm Venereol (Stockholm), 1984, 64(1): 9-14). Folic acid supplementation has also been shown to be beneficial in cases of acne (T J Callaghan, Curtis, 1967, 3: 583-88). Pyridoxine (B6) supplementation has been shown to be useful in eliminating or reducing acne, especially during premenstrual flare ups (B L Snider & D F Dietemen, Arch Dermatol, 1974, 110:130). A low fat diet, along with omega-6 fatty acid supplementation was also shown to improve patients (W R Hubbler, Arch Derm, 1959, 79: 644).
Nutritional therapists suggest people with acne avoid the following: inorganic iron, as it inactivates vitamin E; female hormones, which is antagonistic to vitamin E (milk contains such hormones); extra iodine (as in some table salts); commercial carbonated drinks (these usually contain brominated vegetable oils); and extra vitamin B12.